A Complete Guide to Cross-Border Trucking: Singapore & Malaysia Singapore holds a unique position in Southeast Asia's trade and logistics scene. Ideally positioned, with world-class infrastructure and a business-friendly environment, it is the preferred hub of choice for the majority of regional companies. While air freight and sea freight are where they naturally gravitate when discussing shipping, cross-border trucking is a fast method of transportation between Malaysia and Singapore. This kind of transportation has a good speed and a reasonable price, with various businesses ranging from e-commerce retailers to bulk product exporters. Understanding how cargo transport trucking in Singapore and Malaysia operates can make business decisions wiser when shipping. Here, we break down the most relevant facts of cross-border trucking, from shipping preparation and customs clearance to Singapore's last- mile delivery. If you're just starting with cross-border trucking or want to optimise your supply chain, this guide is here for you. When Should You Use Cross-Border Trucking? Cross-border trucking is a convenient choice for B2C as well as B2B shipments. It has two main types of shipments: full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL). It takes less time than sea freight, and it is usually cheaper than air freight and less regulated in freight type. The choice of this transport is strongly based on your shipping requirements. ● Speed of trucks: Trucking is one day behind air freight, but much faster than shipping by sea. ● Cost : It is equal in cost and time, especially for products where air freight would be too costly. ● Type of cargo: Trucking has more flexibility. Chemical-containing products, oversized and irregular cargo Malaysia shipments, and health and beauty items that must be handled a certain way perform better over the road. If your supply chain has to go across the Malaysia-Singapore border, cross-border trucking is an option worth exploring. It's adaptable and can suit lots of different types of goods and shipment sizes. How Does Cross-Border Trucking Work in Singapore-Malaysia? The entire process of cargo transport trucking has some similarities with sea or air freight, but with some significant differences, most especially in customs clearance and processing. A distinguishing element in the trucking corridor between Malaysia and Singapore is that trucks from one country are free to move within the other's borders. This contrasts with most other cross-border corridors, where products need to be unloaded from one truck and reloaded onto another at the border. This reduces cargo handling, which decreases the risk of damage and delay. Key Stages in the Cross-Border Trucking Process Stage Description Key Responsibility Pickup The products are taken from the warehouse or business location in Malaysia and prepared for delivery. Logistics provider / Shipper Consolidation & Loading The warehouse is the location where LTL shipments are combined; FTL shipments are directly loaded onto the truck. Logistics partner Origin Customs Clearance The customs officers of Malaysia, after inspection, grant Johor export clearance by approving the documents presented. Customs broker / Exporter Mid - mile Transit After clearance, the truck with the cargo allowed is crossing the Causeway and heading to Singapore. Truck driver / Carrier Destination Customs Clearance SARS looks over the goods and the necessary documentation that the importers present for releasing the consignment after clearance. Importer / Customs agent Here's a broad outline of the cross-border trucking flow: 1.) Pickup: Your shipment is picked up by the shipping company from your origin point, e.g., an office or warehouse. Alternatively, you may hand over your shipment to a designated warehouse. 2.) Consolidation and Loading: For LTL shipments, your shipment is consolidated with other shipments at the warehouse of a logistics partner, usually in Malaysia, before loading onto a truck. FTL shipments are loaded straight from your location. 3.) Origin Customs Clearance: Malaysian customs officials clear the shipment and documents upon arrival at the Johor customs checkpoint to provide export clearance. 4.) Mid-mile Transit: The lorry, having cleared, drives further into Singapore by crossing the Causeway to Singapore customs. 5.) Destination Customs Clearance: Singapore customs clears the cargo and documents to provide import clearance. Shipments after clearance either go to a warehouse for sorting or straight to final-mile delivery if a full truckload. 6.) Sorting and Delivery: LTL shipments are sorted and separated in Singapore for delivery to several consignees. 7.) Last-Mile Delivery: Final delivery is made to your business or customer location within Singapore. You receive a shipment tracking portal from your logistics partner to track every step and see through B2C and B2B deliveries. First Mile Pickup and Consolidation First mile refers to commodities leaving your premises or origin warehouse in Malaysia. In an LTL shipment, commodities usually travel to a consolidation warehouse first. There, shipments from several customers are grouped into a single truckload before customs arrival. FTL shipments don't get consolidated, and trucks come to your site to be loaded. You then get to control your own time instead of having to maintain rigid dispatch times. Protect your shipment by securely lashing or air bagging it so that it will not move around during transit. Proper packaging and marking before loading are important to avoid damage or delays. Should you make Singapore your regional distribution centre, utilising a trusted container trucking company in Singapore for warehousing in Singapore's Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is advisable. This is advantageous to delay tax on goods and facilitate regional distribution within Southeast Asia. Clearance at Customs in Malaysia and Singapore Clearance at Customs is a main aspect of cross-border trucking. Malaysian Customs At Johor customs, officers check your shipment and documents. To export goods, you’ll need: ● Commercial invoice ● Airway bill or shipping document ● Packing list ● Export permits (if applicable) Exporters must register with Malaysian authorities to ship certain restricted items. Goods are classified using the Harmonised System (HS) tariff codes. Depending on the cargo Malaysia , duties and taxes may apply. Singapore Customs After arriving in Singapore, customs inspectors inspect goods and documents. Trucking deliveries, as opposed to air shipping, don't benefit from Singapore's de minimis GST relief, and hence, GST (7%) and duties are charged based on product type. Required import documents: ● Commercial invoice ● Airway bill or transport document ● Packing list ● Insurance policy (if applicable) ● Certificate of origin Business importers must register a Unique Entity Number (UEN) and activate their customs account. Import licenses are required, and duty payment is made through GIRO with Singapore Customs. Inaccurate or incomplete documents can cause delays or detention of shipment, so ensure that documents are accurate and complete. Last Mile Delivery in Singapore After clearing, FTL shipments usually proceed directly to the destination of the consignee. LTL shipments are delivered to a warehouse to be sorted and subsequently dispatched in smaller vans or trucks for delivery. Multiple delivery attempts are standard for B2C shipments to ensure customers are able to take delivery of their orders. A logistics provider who is well-versed in cross-border trucking and operates as a reliable container trucking company in Singapore can organise such deliveries efficiently. Why Choose Cross-Border Trucking in Singapore-Malaysia? Cross-border trucking has numerous advantages: ● Low-cost: Cheaper than by air but faster than by sea. ● Fewer restrictions: Less constrained on goods types and sizes. ● Flexible transport: Suitable for cargo transport trucking of bulk deliveries as well as small parcels. ● Less handling: Trucks from both countries cross the border, reducing cargo handovers. ● Regional supply chains: Suited to Singapore as a regional Southeast Asia hub. But it's not necessarily always the solution. Trucking is a function of shipment urgency, volume, and type of freight. A seasoned shipping partner that offers flexible end-to-end solutions can customise logistics to your exact specifications. Final Thoughts Singapore-Malaysia cross-border trucking is a smart and economical means of transporting goods across one of Southeast Asia's busiest borders. From consolidation and pick-up to customs clearance and ultimate delivery, awareness of each step aids companies in streamlining supply chains for their cargo Malaysia Cross-border trucking with careful planning and an appropriate logistics partner can deliver speed, reliability, and economies, supporting everything from deliveries by e-commerce companies to huge bulk hauls. If you would like to learn more about how a leading container trucking company in Singapore can assist your business, contact Evermarch Logistics now. We have tailored solutions to make your shipment seamless across borders. Read another Article: Malaysia to Singapore Cargo: Compare Trucking vs Air Freight